Donald Trump slams Jeff Sessions for not being ‘tougher’ and hinting that he could fire the beleaguered Attorney General

The US President is furious that Sessions recused himself from the Justice Department probe into the Trump campaign's alleged ties with Russia

By Mark Hodge

25th July 2017, 8:59 pm

Updated: 26th July 2017, 1:10 am

DONALD Trump has slammed Jeff Sessions for not being "tougher" before hinting that he could fire the beleaguered Attorney General.

In a White House news conference alongside Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, the US President said that "I want the attorney general to be much tougher."

AP:Associated Press

President Trump hinted that he could fire Attorney General Jeff Sessions

He added: "I want the leaks from intelligence agencies, which are leaking like rarely have they ever leaked before, at a very important level. These are intelligence agencies we cannot have that happen."

Asked about Sessions' future, Trump said: "Time will tell. Time will tell."

The President is angry that Sessions recused himself from the investigation into the relationship between Trump's election campaign and Russia.

Officials say Trump has spoken with advisers about firing Sessions.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Trump also downplayed the importance of Sessions being the first senator to endorse his presidential candidacy, saying that "it's not like a great loyal thing."

The firebrand Republican said he is "looking" at the possibility of firing the former Alabama senator and did not suggest that he will curtail his criticism of Sessions.

The 36-year-old made the public statement after being grilled for more than two hours by members of the Senate Intelligence Committee over the Trump campaign’s alleged links to the Kremlin.

Before addressing the world’s media, Kushner, who is one of the US President’s most trusted advisers, released an 11-page statement in which he detailed four meetings he had with Russians during the election which he previously failed to disclose.

Those controversial meetings including conversations with the Russian ambassador to the US, a Kremlin-linked lawyer and a Russian banker.

Getty Images

Jared Kushner defiantly addressed reporters outside the White House after a two hour grilling by Senate investigators

While appearing outside the White House, the real estate magnate said he did not know of anyone within the Trump administration who had colluded with Moscow.

He said: “Since the first questions were raised in March, I have been consistent in saying, I was eager to share any information I had with the investigating bodies, and I’ve done so today.

“The record and documents I have voluntarily provided will show that all of my actions were proper and occurred in the normal course of events of a very unique campaign.

Reuters

Jared Kushner and his father-in-law Donald Trump are under scrutiny over their links with Russia. File picture

“Let me be very clear. I did not collude with Russia, nor do I know of anyone else in the campaign who did so.

“I had no improper contacts. I have not relied on Russian funds for my businesses. I have been fully transparent in providing all requested information.”

In the earlier statement released ahead of the interviews with congressional committees, Kushner declared that he has “nothing to hide”.

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